On the shortest day and longest night of the year, twenty four of us gathered at the harvest table to celebrate turning the year once more. The greenhouse on the land at The Kinlands was the perfect setting to host this seasonal gathering. While the greenhouse glowed with warmth from within, the harvest fields beyond lay bare and the animals quietly dozed in the barns. All that space on the horizon, left blank by Autumn’s hand, rendered our gaze ample room to drink up the dark starry sky. And that we did, in addition to copious amounts of hot herbal tea and warm company to keep winter’s chill at bay.

I am a lover of nature and the transitions from one season to the next are sacred to me. Rather than celebrate hallmark holidays, I elect to root into each seasonal transition by observing the natural phenomena that occur at the change of seasons. Today I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I create intimate seasonal gatherings with the intention of providing inspiration and tips so you can recreate a similar experience in your home. In partnership with Bloomist, I’ve curated a beautiful tablescape that sets the stage for intentional conversations shared over an autumn meal.

I long to see a renaissance of deeply meaningful traditions that encourage human connection, like the nature-rooted festivals of the Wheel of the Year. As a gardener and forager, I find the celebrations that invoke connection to self, community and nature to be much more rewarding than those centered around commerce. This Beltane I’ll foster community connection through hosting a bonfire and surprise-gifting May Day posies to friends and family. I want to capture the whimsy, magic, and community joy of May Day, so I crafted these beribboned paper cones to hold flowers. On the eve of Beltane I’ll surprise-gift these to neighbors, family, and friends by hanging them on them on doorknobs.

This Easter holiday I’m crafting up a simple yet delicious cast iron skillet carrot cake. This skillet cake has all the yumminess of traditional carrot cake, but much less fuss. With a single tier and fabulous ingredients this recipe is adapted for cooking outdoors in a backyard or camp setting.

Seasonal living supports us in many practical ways throughout daily life. Connecting to nature seasonally can also support us from a spiritual perspective. Rooted in ancient sacred paganism and the modern Wiccan tradition, The Wheel of the Year offers a sacred calendar and rituals that align with nature.